Hygiene

is an English systematic treatise on the subject. The book shows immense industry and great knowledge on the part of its author, and to sanitarians who require (and what sanitarian does not require it) a work of reference on sanitary science, this book is invaluable. To ourselves, as public teachers on Hygiene, we have felt practically the value of Dr. Pickford's labours, and have already availed ourselves

THE rapid appearance of a sixth edition of R. A. Fisher's "Statistical Methods for Research Workers'" is indicative of an increasing demand for a work that is concerned mainly with an exposition of the practical applications of statistical formulre, rather than with mathematical theory; it can be recommended particularly to experimental biologists with limited mathematical equipment. Some fresh material has been added to the previous edition, which was reviewed in this journal. ONYCHOLOGY.
NOT a great deal has been written, at least in English, about the nails and their diseases, so that the appearance of further literature on this subject is more than welcome. Dr. Pardo-Castello, of Cuba, has published a monograph" entitled "Diseases of the Nails", in which he attempts, as noted in his introduction, to supply to English-speaking physicians, in a condensed and comprehensive manner, the widely scattered facts contained in the literature, together with his own observations on the subject. That he has done this with some measure of success will be appreciated by dermatologists and others who have often searched text-books in vain for help in the elucidation of some obscure condition of the nails.
Several features in this production, however, are somewhat disappointing and call for comment. The discussion often becomes involved, and in many instances there are no subdivisions into IIltiology, diagnosis, treatment et cetera, these aspects being dealt with in one paragraph. The author's main object appears to be to quote numerous cases reported by various writers rather than to give a summary of their views and his own opinion of them. In this connexion it must be admitted that there is an excellent bibliography in the appendix, and the book is really an exhaustive survey and summary of the literature on onychology. The value of this book will be realized only if the references quoted are obtainable and are used in conjunction with the text.
In spite of the fact that X rays are mentioned as one of the most useful agents at our disposal for treatment of diseases of the nails, the very short chapter (less than two pages) on this subject would seem to be wholly inadequate. A general statement is made about fractional doses of X rays, and certain conditions, such as onychomycoses, several dystrophies, psoriasis, eczema, verruca vulgaris and inflammatory paronychia, are said to respond well to X rays in many cases, but no details are available as to the technique and dosage to be used in these diseases. Subintensive and intensive doses are stated to be necessary sometimes, but no mention is made as to what these respective terms are meant to convey.
In the discussion on koilonychia, or spoon-nails, it is surprising to find but scant mention made of what the author calls anachlorhydric aneemia (presumably the hypochromic type is meant) as a cause, and this only, as it were, an afterthought in the last paragraph. EVidently the more recent work on this subject has not become ' known to the author, for, in addition to treatment with iron, he advises liver extract and omits to mention the fact that the administration of hydrochloric acid is very beneficial in some cases.
On the whole, the book is well produced on good paper, and there are ninety-four excellent illustrations, which will well repay study. To all who are interested in onychology the monograph will be found a useful and concise summary on this important subject.

HYGIENE.
A VOLUME not much larger than the ordinary six-shilling novel, the fifth edition of "A Synopsis of Hygiene", by Jameson and Parkinson, effectively covers the whole field of hygiene and public health and contains a mass of information not ordinarily made so readily accessible.' The work is planned on conventional lines, and is terse in style, but essentials have not been sacrificed to brevity. Much use has been made of the tabular form of presentation. Useful summaries, taken at random, are: the organization of a health week, the control of diphtheria in an institution, the functions of a tuberculosis dispensary, measures of fly prevention, measure of uninhabitability of a dwelling et cetera. The chapter on personal hygiene is particularly good, and the medical officer of health, called on to write popular articles for the local Press during health week, will find excellent material in the summaries of such topics as properties of clothing, vitamins, family budgets and the like.
References are freely made to current and recent literature, and these are not grouped at the end of each chapter, but are interpolated in parentheses at the end of each relevant paragraph.
The work is well indexed; there are 20 pages of index to some 600 pages of subject matter. The appendices at the end contain ten pages of physics, calculations and tables of factors of weights and measures-items of information which have usually faded from one's mind since early student days and which, when required, have to be searched for through several books.
Although the general arrangement of the synopsis remains unaltered from previous editions, much of the book has been rewritten, especially those sections which deal with the law relating to public health. It is particularly those sections which are of least value to the Australian reader, for they contain much detail of acts of Parliament, regulations and model by-laws, which are inapplicable to this country, although they are of use as illustrating the principles of modern health legislation, and are instructive as showing what has been enacted "on the other side".
The page on small domestic sewage installations is disappointing, doubtless because these are not so important to the English sanitarian as they are to his Australian confrere in rural areas. References to such conditions as hydatid disease are scanty, and the chapter on milk production contains much that is inapplicable to our local conditions; so does that portion of the work dealing with food standards.
To the Australian reader an Australian work of the same nature would be of great value, but in its absence this work of reference can be confidently recommended as a useful addition to the bookshelves.
Certainly every medical library should contain a copy.